This One's For You

Kate spent the rest of the night debating internally whether or not to tell him. There was the possibility that he would love her too; it was something Kate couldn’t fathom. True love doesn’t come along everyday. The opportunity had thrust itself upon Kate, and she should take advantage of it.

Then, there was the possibility of rejection. Of Kendall not feeling the same, and it could ruin their friendship forever. She didn’t want that, for another best friend to walk out of her life. Could she handle it, if he felt differently? She had no idea.

The arguments and rebuttals lasted in her head most of Sunday morning, all through the church service, and finally, she called him. The phone rang a few times, and she couldn’t help but feel her stomach fluttering. This was a feeling she’d never gotten from Xavier.

“Hey Kate,” Kendall said smoothly, his voice at ease. She couldn’t help but smile, picturing him lounging around the apartment.

“Hey. What are you up to today? ‘Cause I could sure use some company,” she hinted, and he laughed. It bounced though the phone, making her laugh too.

“Well, actually, I’m at my parents today with my brothers,” he admitted, sounding almost, sad? at having to turn her down. Then again, she thought, it could just be her imagination.

“Oh. Okay then, I’ll just call the others. Have fun,” she tried to sound as cheery as possible, hoping she succeeded.

“Bye Kate. Talk to you soon,” he replied, and with that, they hung up. She quickly dialed Carlos’s number, praying not to be completely alone today. She always felt so alone during classes, where she knew no one. With the guys, it was like home.

“What’s up, Kate?” Carols answered cheerfully.

“Not much. Looking for something to do. What do you think?” she asked hopefully.

“Love to. Where and when?” he responded, sounding completely psyched. It made Kate smile, even through her internal turmoil. Being a girl, she noted, was hard.

“Well, let’s get lunch. I’m starving,” she complained.

“Meet you at the diner in ten,” he laughed, and with that, they were on their way. Kate was closer and arrived first, so she walked in, found a booth, and slid easily onto the red vinyl. Her lavender sundress bunched a bit under her legs, but the light cotton material was soft and hardly noticeable; it was almost too chilly to wear it, had she not brought her white cardigan. She watched out the big windows, smiling a bit as Carlos strolled in, his sunglasses perched on the bridge of his nose.

“You look more lovely than usual this morning. What’s the occasion?” Carlos asked, sliding carefully across from her, then adjusting his coat. She gave him a smile, sliding her bangs behind her ear.

“I was at church. Thanks, though,” she said, and he nodded.

“So, how is everything? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure he’s a lovely person, but Xavier didn’t look too thrilled to meet us,” Carlos said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. Kate bit her lip and nodded, expecting this.

“Everything’s fine. Xavier, well, he went home to Maine. We’re over, I guess,” Kate admitted, and a look of sympathy crossed through Carlos’s eyes.

“Oh Kate,” he started, but she cut him off with her hand.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m over it. I’m happy, it’s all okay,” she assured him, and he smiled too. A waitress came and took their orders, and they talked over coffee while they waited.

“So. If you aren’t dating Xavier anymore, what’s the deal with you and Kendall?” Carlos asked casually, and Kate’s face burned. A look of surprise flashed in her eyes, and Carlos laughed.

“Nothing. We’re friends. Just friends,” she stuttered out quickly, causing Carlos to laugh harder.

“Yeah, sure. You like him.” It wasn’t a question, like Jay had asked, but a statement. She watched Carlos with wide eyes.

“Do not,” she retorted lamely.

“C’mon Kate. Don’t you trust me?” Carlos looked at her with his big, sad, mocha puppy eyes, and she groaned. Her battle was completely lost.

“I trust you. I just don’t know what I feel. Everything’s going so fast…” she murmured quietly, tracing her saucer absentmindedly.

“Kate, I think we both know you like him. A lot. I also get where you’re coming from though,” he said softly, giving her a half smile.

“Yeah. Don’t tell him, please,” she begged, running her fingers through her hair, which matched her coffee almost perfectly. The waitress set a burger in front of each of them; they thanked her, and returned to their discussion.

“I won’t. Pinky promise,” he vowed, holding his little finger out. She laughed, intertwining it with her own.

“So, a little birdie told me it’s your birthday in a couple of weeks,” Carlos said, taking a bite into his massive burger. Kate had been en route to take a bite of her bacon cheeseburger, but now held it in midair. She thought about it for a moment. It was September 25; it was exactly two weeks until her 20th birthday. The thought scared her a bit, partially because she had forgotten, and partially because she couldn’t comprehend where all the time went.

“How’d you know?” she asked curiously, finally taking a bite. Carlos shrugged, holding a finger up as he finished the mouthful.

“Told ya. A little birdie. They have really big...beaks, you know,” he teased, and Kate’s eyes narrowed.

“Kendall?” she guessed, and Carlos nodded.

“Kendall,” he confirmed. She groaned, setting her food on the plate. She hated getting presents, it never seemed right, having people spend money on her. And she had a feeling the boys were up to something, as was Jesse.

“Well, don’t go getting any ideas. I hate surprises, and no presents,” she declared, staring him in the eye as she waited for a response.

“Fine. Wasn’t even thinking of it until you said something,” he trailed off, and Kate’s eyes widened.

“Carlos Pena, nothing. You hear me?” He said nothing in response, just bit off part of a fry, smirking. Kate made a noise resembling a growl, and Carlos laughed uncontrollably
.
“My bad,” he whispered to Kate, after realizing the whole room was staring at him like he was a lunatic.

“It’s fine,” she said, giggling a bit. They ate on in silence a few more minutes, Kate sipping at her lukewarm coffee.

“You know, I think we actually have a concert the day before that, at the Big Fresno Fair. You should come with us. A gift from me to you,” Carlos offered, and Kate bit down on her glossed lip, hesitating. She had never seen them perform before, and it would be fun; she loved the fair.

“I might actually have to accept that one. Do I get into the fair for free then?” she asked, sounding much like an excited little girl. Carlos bit his own lip to keep the laughter inside.

“Yup. We’ll even pay for all the rides, and if your lucky, maybe I’ll win you a goldfish or something,” Carlos teased, and Kate laughed, the grin on her face reaching ear to ear.

“I really like that birthday present. But that’s all you’re allowed to get me,” she warned, her voice hitting a dangerous note. Carlos held his palms up defensively, a glint still in his eyes.

“You have my word, not another present from me,” he swore, and Kate nodded, satisfied, until she caught on.

“The others too,” she added quickly, but Carlos shook his head.

“Oh no, I don’t speak for them. I already made my deal,” he explained, and Kate scrunched up her nose, then threw a french-fry at him. Unfortunately for her, he caught it, then ate it tauntingly in front of her.

“Thanks for the fry, mine are gone,” he teased, and she rolled her eyes, finishing her last sip of coffee. They both were finished, and pulled out their share of the bill. When Kate wasn't looking, he stuffed her half back into her unattended bag, making up the difference from his own wallet.

“C’mon you big goofball, let’s bounce,” Kate sang, standing up and rearranging her dress. Carlos followed suit, slipping on his sunglasses again. Kate started to the door, and Carlos followed, hopping up and down. Kate stopped in her tracks, and he ran right into her, almost knocking her over.

“You ran into me,” she whined, turning to face him.

“You stopped,” he pointed out. She shrugged, giving him that one.

“Only because I saw you jumping up and down like a bunny rabbit,” she countered, and Carlos laughed a bit.

“You said ‘let’s bounce,’” he stated, and she smacked her palm against her forehead lightly, one of her rings scraping it lightly. She finally just laughed, pulling Carlos out of the diner by his hand.

“C’mon, you dork, let’s walk nicely.”